empower

Welcome to April also known as Autism Acceptance Month. The United Nations officially designated April 2 as “World Autism Awareness Day,” but the real goal is autism acceptance. Being aware or understanding to individuals that are diagnosed with autism, is just part of the solution. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disease that is diagnosed for individuals with a variable developmental disorder that appears by age three and is characterized by impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships. Autistic individuals need to be able to assimilate into communities, are well equipped with life skills and ensured that they are able to qualify for gainful employment enabling them to be self-sustaining.

In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) significantly revised the estimated prevalence of autism in the United States; the new number – 1 in 88 children. This represents a 23 percent increase from the CDC’s previous estimate (1 in 110 children), reported in 2009. Consistent with previous estimates, the updated numbers remained heavily skewed toward boys. The researchers also found evidence of a persistent but narrowing gap between white and minority children. These findings may reflect differences in community screening and services – rather than true differences in prevalence. Autism rates among African-Americans are similar to rates among whites, but African-American children are often diagnosed with autism at an older age, missing potential years of treatment.

“The CDC’s new estimates of autism prevalence demand that we recognize autism as a public health emergency warranting immediate attention…it is a crisis of epidemic proportions – and not just among children.” – Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer

Autism awareness advocates say that in the past the disorder “has been portrayed in the media inaccurately and in largely damaging ways,” however, television has been doing a better job of portraying autism on screen. Notably, Sesame Street will add a new friend to the neighborhood this month when it debuts Julia, a green-eyed, orange-haired character with autism. The debut of its new character was part of an initiative designed to reduce the stigma surrounding autism as early as 2015. Sherrie Westin, Sesame Workshop’s executive vice president of global social impact and philanthropy, said “Our goal was to try to help destigmatize autism and increase awareness, understanding and empathy.” The initiative, “Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in all Children,” provides educational tools in online and printed story books and as a free downloadable app that feature Sesame Street characters explaining to children how to interact with friends, like Julia, who have the neurodevelopmental disorder. The first episodes with Julia will air April 10 on PBS and HBO.

Our goal was to try to help destigmatize autism and increase awareness, understanding and empathy….continue to reinforce core brand messages of inclusivity, diversity and empowerment.

Sesame Street executives said they recognized how difficult it was to accurately depict autism because children can have varying degrees of autism and as a result often act in unique ways. That is why Sesame Street’s team consulted with members of the autism community before launching Julia’s character. Julia’s creators said they took certain characteristics from children in the moderate range on the autism spectrum. As a result, Julia often does not respond to her friends immediately and speaks less often than her peers. In one interaction, another muppet, notices Julia likes to flap her arms—a common characteristic of kids with autism—and makes a game out of it, pretending they are butterflies. “The hope is that children with autism will be able to identify with Julia and feel less alone,” Westin said. “I think the biggest opportunity is to use Julia with the other characters to help explain autism.”

The “Power Rangers” movie also offers a new take on some of the characters in the superhero series — including Billy, the blue ranger, who is also on the autism spectrum. Power Rangers’ creator Haim Saban expressed a similar goal in his decision to place Billy on the autism spectrum. In both portrayals, writers were careful to avoid caricatures. Billy’s signs of autism are at times as subtle as expressing anxiety in new situations or shouting when his peers are trying to stay quiet. “With the feature film, we wanted to continue to reinforce core brand messages of inclusivity, diversity and empowerment,” Saban said in an emailed statement.

To show people with disabilities in the light of power, that is something extraordinary…if someone has social anxiety and might learn differently or work differently than you do, that doesn’t mean that they cannot have productive lives.

Disability advocates say the thoughtfulness put into both the Sesame Street and Power Rangers’ characters paid off. In the case of the Power Rangers, Archer pointed out that Billy finds his power in interacting with his fellow power rangers. Julia, who has a multitude of friends, is generally happy in contrast to other fictionalized people with autism who are often depicted as depressed or lonely.

“To show people with disabilities in the light of power, that is something extraordinary,” said Charles Archer, CEO of the THRIVE NETWORK. Archer said helping children understand autism at an early age provides exciting prospects for the next generation. “It means they are going to grow up into teens and adults understanding that if someone has social anxiety and might learn differently or work differently than you do, that doesn’t mean that they cannot have productive lives,” Archer said.

The new shows, which notably have broad appeal, display “immense progress” and goes a step further in setting an example on how to create inclusive and welcoming environments for our friends that may be affected by symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. So the question to consider this month are not whether you’ve worn the signature blue color, or posted on your social media accounts to show-and-prove awareness, but rather:

Have you admitted autistic people into your group–your school, your workplace, your home, your social circles, your ways of understanding?

If not, you haven’t conquered the acceptance step yet. Conquering that step means taking autistic people as they are, learning from them, and listening to them. That takes work. We need good, useful research, and educational, healthcare, family and workplace protections more than ever, to support the autistic community against stigmas and discrimination.

Nineteen-year-old Angellic Ross of Milwaukee, student at Northwestern University majoring in acting, believes she made a positive impression on the youth during her recent trip to Shanghai and Hong Kong, China where she used her artistic skills to convey a message of empowerment and service.

Ross was one of five individuals privileged to spend 10 days in China as part of R&B Singer Usher Raymond’s non-profit New Look Foundation’s new initiative called the “Powered By Service” program, first unveiled at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative, created by former President Bill Clinton.

A peer-to-peer leadership training program, Powered By Service supports youth around the world in creating positive change.

The program was designed to change the face of service by offering young people the opportunity to combine their personal passions in the arts with their desire to give back. The initiative’s mission is to send selected youth throughout the world to use their talents in dance, music, sports, business, science, environment and other areas to teach leadership and actions that build transferrable skills and competencies, as well as certify youth leaders.

The Rufus King High School graduate and Northwestern freshman helped train and certify more than 100 Chinese youth as leaders.

“The experience was very positive,” Ross said recalling her time in Hong Kong and Shanghai. “The kids we trained in China were from underprivileged backgrounds.

“We told them about the importance of education, of giving back to their communities. The experience also gave me the opportunity to experience and interact with a different culture.”

Ross wasn’t just teaching. She was learning too. She shadowed representatives of various companies doing business in China such as General Electric and Bloomberg Television.

The Rufus King High School grad said shadowing the various corporations showed her the importance of having a business plan and branding.

“Hope I can go on another overseas trip,” said Ross, who wants to start her own non-profit arts organization.

“I’d also like to go back to Hong Kong and Shanghai to develop partnerships with the country.”

New Look Foundation is an organization created by the popular R&B singer to empower and motivate youth to create change, while giving youth the tools and resources they need to succeed.

The National Association of Women Business Owners today announced its partnership with LeanIn.org. The two organizations plan to empower women with the tools they need to realize their career and life goals, using a program of education and mentorship. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook is also on board with the initiative.

Women-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of the economy and are responsible for employing more than 13 million people. This equates to $1.9 trillion in sales from women-owned businesses yearly. Diane Tomb, President and CEO of NAWBO wants to ensure this trend continues by empowering women entrepreneurs.

Lean in Education is a series of educational material that was developed in conjunction with the Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford University. The program touches on a number of topics important to the day to day aspects of running business, from negotiation skills to team dynamics. Sheryl Sandberg is a co-founder of LeanIn.org and recognizes the unique struggles a female entrepreneur faces.

“For years, women have represented an important part of the workforce, earning 57 percent of undergraduate and 63 percent of masters degrees in the United States today… yet many organizations struggle to attract and retain high-potential women, especially in the most senior roles,” said Sandberg.

1) Lean In Community brings women and men together to share stories and have daily conversations around topics that will help them achieve their goals.

2) Lean In Education offers access to free online lectures, produced in collaboration with the Clayman Institute for Gender Studies at Stanford University, on topics including creating successful teams, combating gender bias, negotiating, and advocating for your ideas.

3) Lean In Circles are small groups that meet monthly to learn together and share experiences in an atmosphere of confidentiality and trust.

“NAWBO is leaning in because we know how much female entrepreneurs have to offer one another. We support Sheryl Sandberg and LeanIn’s mission to connect and support women in all areas and stages of their professional development and are excited to have the opportunity to work with them to encourage and motivate them to reach their full potential,” said Tomb.

Chef Bryant Terry has focused the last 10 years of his career on food justice activism. And the first step toward food justice, he says, is to empower people to cook at home and share meals with family and friends. Through his efforts, Terry works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable food system.

Originally from Memphis, Terry’s interest in cooking and farming can be traced back to his childhood. He furthered those experiences with training in healthy cooking at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York.

Terry says: “While a slice of rustic bread supports the vegetables on this open-faced sandwich, grilled eggplant is the real foundation. Grilled eggplant has a sweet, smoky flavor and would be delicious eaten alone. But I layer tangy sweet grilled onions and ripe, seasonal heirloom tomatoes into the mix to add beautiful colors and additional flavors that meld well with the buttery eggplant. Right before serving, the sandwich is brightened with Creamy Celeriac Sauce.”

Terry says: “If you can’t grill, the eggplant and onions can also be cooked in an oven. Just place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet 3 to 4 inches from the heat and broil for 3 to 4 minutes, until browned and slightly crisp. Turn them with a fork and broil for another minute or so. After removing the vegetables, place the bread under the broiler for about 1 1/2 minutes per side, until lightly browned.”

1. Preheat a grill or broiler. Soak eight 12-inch wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, cayenne, and black pepper and mix well with a fork.

3. Add the vegetables to the bowl and toss to coat.

4. If grilling, thread the onion slices onto two skewers each. Transfer the onions and the eggplant rounds to the grill and cook, turning once with tongs, until browned and slightly crisp, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

5. After turning the vegetables, add the bread to the grill. Cook, turning once, until crisp and golden on the surface but still soft inside, about 4 minutes.

6. Assemble the sandwich by layering a slice of eggplant, a slice of tomato, and several slices of onion. Slather on some celeriac sauce, then sprinkle with salt and pepper before serving.